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Shami leaves Windies in tatters after Ashwin ton
NORTH SOUND, ANTIGUA: Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and now Mohammed Shami, this Test is turning out to be generous towards players who made their debuts against West Indies.
NORTH SOUND, ANTIGUA: Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and now Mohammed Shami, this Test is turning out to be generous towards players who made their debuts against West Indies. If the first two days were about Kohli and Ashwin bettering personal records, the third day belonged to the comeback man.
On the sidelines for what looked an eternity, Shami came back to produce a fiery spell with movement and extra bounce that reduced West Indies to 92/5 from 68/2 in the space of 17 overs. India might have used almost two days to pile an imposing score but Shami’s burst now gives them all the time in the world to plot a quick downfall of West Indies.
Just when it looked like West Indies had managed to play out the first session without much damage, Shami removed Darren Bravo an over before lunch. In terms of impact, Bravo was a huge wicket. One of the most experienced players in this team, Bravo is one of those who have regularly been part of the squads for both Tests and T20s and is generally good with deliveries outside off-stump. Shami though was equally persistent outside off, bowling quick and pitching just up to create that hesitation.
The one that got Bravo was pitched back of length and had just that extra bit of carry that surprised Bravo and got a top edge to Wriddhiman Saha. That dismissal put India ahead after an almost 18-over vigil by Devendra Bishoo gave new impetus to the fading strategy of sending nightwatchmen. This being a proclaimed Test of patience, India were game for it.
Bishoo was keen to give back to the visitors after the punishment he received while bowling. He lived perilously though, nearly edging the ball several times. But for a fairly long time in the early phase of the first session, Kraigg Brathwaite ensured it was he who faced most of the deliveries. Brathwaite, however, was extremely slow in scoring, keen on letting the pacers have their way while preventing Ashwin from settling down. Among all the West Indies batsmen, he looked the most assured, and patient.
Once Bishoo fell to the leg-spin of Amit Mishra, West Indies batsmen’s penchant to play shots was exposed. Kohli started the day with Ishant Sharma and Shami, but it was Shami who looked most probing with deliveries that moved just enough after pitching to create doubt in the batsmen’s mind. Bravo looked restless with all the close-in fielders.
Samuels, however, was the big catch. The only batsman who can consistently be a thorn in the flesh for India, Samuels looked frustrated after being denied easy runs. Shami was bowling the fifth stump line so well it was a matter of time before Samuels gave in. There was no footwork, no shift in balance as Samuels hung out his bat to give an easy edge to Saha and Shami his 50th Test wicket. The over got even better when Shami removed Blackwood with a similar delivery but only with extra bounce. Blackwood had no inkling of what he was facing as he simply presented his bat to give an easy catch to Ajinkya Rahane at slip.
